The Macintosh Super Bowl commercial, often referred to as the “1984” commercial, is considered one of the most iconic advertisements in history. It aired during Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984, and was directed by filmmaker Ridley Scott. Here are the key details and significance of the commercial:

Macintosh Super Bowl Commercial 40th Anniversary

This year is the 40th Anniversary of that iconic commercial and the 40th Anniverary of the introduction of the Macintosh. At the time this was a major milestone in personal computer development. The history of that introduction and the birth of personal, desktop computers is a great story.

Background:

• Context: Apple was preparing to launch its revolutionary Macintosh computer, which was positioned as a challenger to the dominant computing paradigm at the time, represented by IBM’s PC platform.
• Innovation: The Macintosh was promoted as a user-friendly and visually appealing alternative to the cumbersome and complex computers of the era.

The Commercial:

• Theme: The commercial draws inspiration from George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” portraying a bleak and oppressive world reminiscent of the book’s totalitarian regime.
• Setting: It is set in a dystopian future where uniformed individuals march in unison toward a large screen, symbolizing conformity and control.
• Protagonist: A woman carrying a sledgehammer, representing the spirit of individuality and rebellion, runs into the room and hurls the sledgehammer at the screen, shattering it.
• Message: The commercial concludes with the text “On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’” This message emphasizes the Macintosh’s role in empowering individuals and challenging the status quo.